Vibrator mechanism



Jan. 17, 1939.` F, E. WOLD VIBRATOR MEGHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Nov. 26, 1934- agitar/zeg Jan. 17, 1939.

F. E. WOLD VIBRATOR MECHANISM Original Filed Nev. 26, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 80 5 mW/@54% W .Efarnefy Jan. 17, 1939. F. E. WOLD 2,144,437

vBRAToR MECHANISM Origkinal Filed Nov. 26, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 tight, even though a high pressure lubricating they contemplate a vibratormechanism whichv Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNITED .STATES PATENT oFFlci-z 2,144,437 vmaa'roa rmcnamsm Frank 11i-wom. sans Monica, cani.

Original application November 26, 1934, Serial No. 754,836, now Patent No. 2,062,549, dated December 1, 1936. Divided and this application 0ctober 26, 1936, Serial No. 107,619

1o claims. gol. 121-164) lubricated, it will be understood the invention,

considered in its broader aspects, is not limited to such use. v

This-application is a vdivision of application vSer. No. 754,836, illed November 26, 1934, on Servicing equipment for vehicles, now Patent 2,062,549 of December 1, 1936. Withoutintending tolimit the invention thereto, the device will be described in the environment of said copending application, due to the particular adaptability of the device to that eld.

It is well recognized that in lubricating leaf springs, shackle-bolts and other movable joints of a vehicle, there is a decided lack of penetration of the lubricant to the rubbing'surfaces unless the joints be moved during the lubricating operation. This is particularly true if the joints be system be employed. For instance, a tight shackle-bolt connection may absolutely defy penetration unless joint-movement be set up through theuseoi' a crowbar or the like. It is therefore among the objects of my invention to provide an automatic, fluid-operated vibrator for use with servicing equipment whereby a vehicle may be continuously rocked or vibrated during the lubrication thereof, thus insuring ef tlcient distribution of the lubricant between `the rubbing surfaces of all movable Joints. 'Ihis is accomplished by elevating the vehicle on a hoist and applying the vibrator to any suitable portion of the vehicle, the vehicle axles preferably having nrst been strapped to the hoist.

'lhe equipment may also be used to advantage in disclosing loose body bolts' and the like and in locating frame or body squeaks, for as the vehicle is rocked by the vibrator these conditions are suillciently aggravated to render them readily.

locatable by the operator.

The claims of this divisional application are directed to the vibrator mechanism, and while` this mechanism, in said vco-pending application and here is illustrated as adapted-particularly a're not limited to a mechanism so applied, for

can be utilized with equal advantage in connection with other types of. mounting.

Further objects and features of theu invention fragmentarily in full pian;

will be made apparent in the following detailed specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of servicing equipment, including my improved vibrator, in. op- 5 erative condition;..

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;-

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan section on line 6 3 of Fig. 1 and as taken on the plane of line 3-3 l0 in Fig. 9, certain overlying parts being shownV Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts in changed position; l5

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on line 8-6 of Fig, 5; y

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

but showing the parts in lchanged position and also showing a portion of the telescopic piston rod in broken-away section.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated a hydraulic 30 or power'hoist H which may be of anysuitable construction but is here illustrated as including a usualplunger-piston `i9 and a superstructure Il consisting of side rails i2 of I-cross-section fastened centraily to plunger-plate I3 and thence 35 diverging as indicated in Fig. 2'. At one end a cross plate i4 is secured to the top of the side rails, lthe plate being centrally recessed at I5 tol take diierential casing I6 of vehicle V. The opposite ends of the side'rails carry usual sliding 40 Y blocks I1 upon which rest the fron-t axle i6 of -the vehicle. In order thatv reference later may be made to various parts of the vehicle, I will here designate such parts as follows: -rear axle `housing Il, chassis springs 20, shackles 2i and 4 frame rails. l Either' or both axles are preferably strapped vdown to the hoist, leaving all parts of the vehicle which are spring-Submitted from these axles or their immediately associated parts, free for movement under the influence of the vibrator, to be described. While the straps may be of any suitable type and' may be applied at opposite ends of each axle or at only one or two of these points,

as chosen bythe operator, I have here illustrated a strap of the chain and clamp type, generally indicated at S, applied to each of the axles.

My improved automatic vibrating or reciprocating mechanism is generally indicated at A and preferably is removably suspended from the hoist by such means as a support or hanger generally indicated at B.

The hanger, which is adapted to be applied to the hoist after the latter has been raised to allow suiicient vertical clearance and to be detached before the hoist is lowered, consists of a continuous rod bent to provide a rail-engaging head 25 and two horizontally spaced andaxially alined hooks or trunnion-bearings 24.' 'I'he horizontal portions 25 of the head are adapted to rest on top one of the rails I2, these portions being bent downwardly and inwardly at 26 to provide hooks ,for engaging the underside of the inner ange 21 of rail' I2, bends 26 being connected by bar-portion 28. Vertical legs or suspension members 29 are adapted to engage the outer flange edges but are preferably bent outwardly at 30 to oiset the trunnion-bearings 24 with respect to rail I2 and thus provide increased horizontal clearance with respect to that rail. This clearance is preferably of a magnitude to allow inward swinging movement of those parts of the vibrating mechanism which extend upwardly past the rail and to bring hoist when the latter isin an elevated position.

Consequently, when the hoist is at the ground level G, the vibrating mechanism presents no interference to the normal operation offrolling'a car onto or from the hoist.

However, after the hoist is raised and the hanger and mechanism A are applied thereto, considerable vertical clearance exists between the underside of the vehicle and the lower end of said mechanism (much greater than would be the case if the vibrating mechanism were mounted directly on the hoist-rail) and, accordingly, the vibrating mechanism may be of a size, and character best adapted to apply proper vibratory motion to the vehicle. The relatively low position of trunnion-bearings 24 also increases the range of bodily movement of the vibrating unit so the vibrator thereof may be applied to parts of the vehicle which otherwise would be` inaccessible.

, 'I'he hanger may be applied to any desired part of the hoist-superstructure and hence beneath any desired part of the vehicle V, and, of course,

`once it is applied, it may later be easily slid along the hoist rails to various other selected positions.

Vibrating mechanism A includes a cylinder 33 of which the bottom head 34 is illustrated as being integral with annulus 35, whereas the upper head 36 is in the form of a detachable cap held to annulus ange 31 by cap screws 38. Piston head39 (preferably, though not lnecessarily, provided with split-spring sealing rings 40 or the like) divides the cylinder bore into upper and lowerl chambers 4| and 42, respectively, cap 36 having an integral valve block 43 depending into upper chamber 4|. Cap 36` also carries diametrically opposite trunnions 44 (Fig. 4)V adapted to be taken in hanger-bearings 24, and flange 45 on the trunnions insuring against the hanger arms being sprung apart in a manner accidentally to free the cylinder from the hanger. Of course it lies within the scope of my invention to provide the trunnions or other hanger-attachment means on other parts of the cylinder 33, but the illustrated placement of the trunnions has been found well to serve the purpose.

'I'he piston rod or vibrator generally indicated at 46 is, in effect, telescopically adjustable whereby its effective length may be varied. It includes'a tubular portion 41 secured in any suitable manner to head 39 as by screwing it at 48 over the central head-stem 49. Tube 41 is guided in its vertical movement through cap 36 by sleeveflange 50, and is longitudinally slotted at to take the head 52 of bolt 53 which extends through valve-block 43 and is positioned by nut 54 (Figs. 3 and 7). The bolt, whose head 52 forms a key slidable through key-way 5|, is inserted from the bore of tube 41' before head 39 is applied to said tube, and thereafter serves not only as a positive stop for limiting the upstroke of the piston (beyond the limit established by the valve-action to be described) but also prevents relative rotation between the tube portion of the piston rod and the cylinder so that the valve actuating mechanism, parts of which are secured to the piston and other parts of which are secured to the valve-block, may not be relatively rotated in the manner to displace said parts or put them under undue strain. 1

Secured to the upper end of tube 41 is a sleeve 55 whose bore 56 is adapted slidably to take the adjustment nut assembly 51 whereby the jackadapted to be held in the head-slot by bolt 62' which is extended through any selected hole 63.

Nut assembly 51 includes a ring 64 (Fig. 9) having a conical counter-bore 65 into which diametrically-opposite pins 66 project. Nut 61 is of the split type, the symmetrical halves 68 thereof each having a head portion 69 provided with a hand grip 1l), a downwardly tapering wedge Dortion 1|, and a semi-cylindrical neck portion 12, the latter being taken in ring bore 65. The opposed edges of neck portions 12 have semi-circular recesses 13 to take pins 66 whereby there is formed a loose pivotal connection between ring 64 `and the nut-halves 68. The thread in each nut-half extends only through the head and wedge portions, the remainder of the bore and the conical counterbore 1'4 beingV smooth.

Normally, and also when the loadis supported on saddle 60, nut-assembly 51 is in the condition to force the nut-halves together- Hand therefore `of Fig. 9, the annular and downwardly tapering shoulder 15 of sleeve 65 engaging wedge faces 1| operatively engaging the nut threadswith jack.-

screw 68. Preferably, the angle of shoulder 15 is a little steeper than that of the side-faces of the threads. Washer 16 is securedbybolts 11 tothe lower end of the jack-screw, this washer not only f servingroughly to center the lower endof the jack-screwbut also to prevent the nut assembly from dropping clear of the .jack-screw when the latter is bodily removed from tube 41.

When it is desiredto secure a rapid extension of the piston rod, such vas in making an initial coarse adjustment, it is merely necessary to pull* y the jack-screw up, which action, through the thread-engagement, raises nutl assembly 51 with 75 respect to sleeve 95 and hence wedges 1| with respect to the shoulder 15, allowing the nuthalves to spread apart (as they have normal tendency to do by reason of the outwardly offset relation of their centers of mass with respect to their pivot points) clearing the nut threads from the jack-screw and thus allowing the screw to -be lifted with respect to the nut. 'Ihe opposed edges 11 of the nut-halves are cut back at points below pins 99, which provision, as well as the tapers of bores 95 and 14, allows ample swinging movement ofthe nut-halves to clear the threads. While the jack-screw is thus being lifted there is a repeated tendency for the nut-halves to drop as the individual nut and jack-screw threads pass each other; thus giving a ratcheting effect, but this does not delay the operation.

When the screw has been pulled up to the desired height under this coarse adjustment, it is released by the operator, and nut assembly 91 drops back to the position of Fig. 9, annular shoulder re-engaging-.wedge faces 1| to force the nut-halves back into operative engagement with the jack-screw. Thereafter, by rotating nut 91 through handles 10, the screw may be further projecting to secure the desired "ne adjustment.

Conversely, if itvbe desired quickly to collapse the piston rod, it is merely necessary to lift the jack-screw slightly until the nut-halves are spread and then manually hold the nut in that position while the screw is lowered freely or allowed to drop through the nut.

I will now describe the valves and their actuation whereby air under pressure and connected to the cylinder is controlled in a manner to set up ter opening to the peripheral edge of cap 99 and being adapted to take tting 99, preferably in the form of a valve or stop-cock, the hose 94 (Fig. 2) applied to this valve leading from any usual source of air under pressure.

Opening into valve chamber 19 is passage 99, valve ball 99 being adapted. at times. to be urged by spring 91 into the seated position of Fig. 5,

where it closes off communication between chamber 19 and 95. Extending upwardly from cham ber 85 is passage 88 which is connected by horizontal passage 99 in cap 99 to vertical passage 90 extending downwardly through annulus 99 to horizontal passage 9| which opens at port 92 to I cylinder chamber 42 beneath piston head 99. Preferably, head 99 has a central boss 99' which engages end-wall 94 positively to limit the downstroke of the piston (beyond the limit established by the valve mechanism to be described) and thus insure immediate admission of air to chamber 42 after a period of non-use. The passage system thus far described may be considered generally as Van air inlet channel I, controlled by valve 99.

Exhaust channel E includes a horizontal pas- 0 sage 99 opening at port 94 from chamber 42 and communicating with vertical passage 99 which extends through annulus 99 and opens into horizontal passage 99 in cap 99.v Passage 99 opens to vertical passage 91 in valve block 49, and is l. thereby put into communication with valve chamber 90, the outlet orifice 99 of this chamber being adapted to be closed, at times (Fig. 4) by valve ball 99 under the pressure of spring |00. Orice 99 opens to slot |0| which is cut in block 42 and is, in turn, open to cylinder chamber 4|, the latter being constantly open to the atmosphere through the bores of nipples |02 in cap 99 (Figs. 3 and 8).

Valve tappet |09 is arranged in slot |0| and is in the form of angular extension on rock shaft |04, the latter being mounted' for oscillation in borev |05V of the shorter valve-block leg |09 (Fig. 7). Tappet |09 is substantially semi-circular in cross section, the flat face |01 thereof being angled o' as clearly 'shown in Figs. 4 and 5, while the arcuate face preferably carries a hardened tip |09 adapted, at times, to engage ball 99 and thrust it from its seat against the action of spring |00. 'I'he oscillatory stroke of tappet |09 is limited by the engagement of its opposite faces with square ||4 and nut H9, is ahead H9, in the peripheral face of which is socket ||1. Pivotally connected at ||9 to the outer end of link is a pair of links I9 (Figs. 3 and 8), the lower ends 'of the latter being pivotally connected at |29 to post |2| which is threaded at |22into piston head 99.

A snap-actuator generally indicated at |29 is applied to link and head ||9 whereby rock shaft |04 and tappet |03 are snapped from the position of Fig. 8 to that of Fig. 9,' and vice versa, upon piston 99 reaching predetermined positions within the cylinderv 99. This actuator comprises telescopically arranged pin and. sleeve |24, |29, respectively, the one having a spherical head |29 seated in socket ||1 and the other having a spherical head |21 seated in socket |29 provided in post |29, said post being fastened to link or lever by nut |90 (Fig. 3).

In discussing the action of the actuator and control means therefor, I will refer to a certain line of centers and for this purpose I will designate the axis of shaft |04 as center |04' and the spectively.

Compression spring lili constantly tends to extend the pin and sleeve relatively. and thus, when the piston head is at its lower limit of travel, the parts occupy the positions shown in Fig. 8l and.

since center |29' is above the line of centersV 'hanger as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Piston rod 49 is then extended (by the coarse and tine adiustments spoken of before) until saddle 90 is firmly applied to a chosen part of the vehicle, for

instance, to one of the frame rails 22. This 75- application may be such as shown either in full or dotted lines in Fig. 2, it beingnoted that the pivotal mounting of the vibrating mechanism on the hanger allows said mechanism to be swung from vertical so the vibrator or piston rod may reach and be applied to points of the vehicle which may be out of vertical alinement with the trunnion-bearings of the hanger.

When valve 83 is opened, air under pressure flows through the following course;-passageways 82, 8|, 19, 85, 88, 89, 90, 9| and thence through port 92 into cylinder chamber 0| beneath piston head 39, thus raising the latter and projecting piston rod or vibrator 96 in a manner to lift that part of the vehicle to which it is applied. Of course, during this part of the cycle, spring holds exhaust valve 99 closed to prevent the escape of high-pressure air, the air in chamber 4| above the piston being exhausted through the bo'res of nipples |02.

As the piston head travels upwardly, the control-linkage ||9 folds together or angularly closes, and centers |21', |26 and |04' are gradually brought into line, causing telescopic contraction of the pin and sleeve assembly |24, |25 and longitudinal-compression of spring |3|. As the line of centers |2'||04 passes above center |26 (which is calculated to occur at the predetermined stroke-limit of the piston head) spring |3| becomes effective to project-pin |26 in a manner to snap head ||6 and hence shaft |04 in a counter-clockwise direction to the position of Fig. 9. This movement snaps tappet |03 to the position of Figs. and 6, allowing valve 86 to close and thus cut off further inlet flow ofA air to chamber 42, while tip |08 opens valve 99 against the pressure of spring |00. The weight of the car is then free to depress the piston, the air beneath head 39 being exhausted through the following channel; passageways 93, 95, 96, 91, 80, orifice 98, slot |0| and chamber 4|, whence it passes to the atmosphere through the bores of nipples |02.

The downward movement of head 39 gradually spreads linkage |9, and as the line of centers ITV-|04' passes below center |26', spring |3| becomes effective to snap head IIS, shaft |04 and tappet |03 back to the positions` of Fig. 8, thus closing exhaust channel E and reopening the inlet valve 86 to cause a reoccurrence of the described cycle of operation.

Reciprocation of vibrator 46 thus continues as long as valve 83 is open, and the rocking or vibratory effect given to the vehicle opens and closes leaf springs 2|)4 works the shackle-bolt connections, and sets up such general movement of the vehicle parts as to enable the full penetration of lubricant applied to the various joints by the operator while the vehicle is subjected to the vibratory movement. The pivotal mounting of the vibrating mechanism on hanger B allows the vibrating mechanism to swing and thus accommodate itself to such pivotal movement as the vehicle frame may have during the travel of the piston. For instance, since the vibrator is usually applied to the vehicle frame at one side of its vertical axial plane, the frame will be given a tilting or pivotal movement about an axis at the far side of said vertical axial plane. v

The stroke of the vibrator, as determined'by the valve timing, may be varied by altering the effective length of link or lever through attachment of links I9 thereto at different selected pin holes i8.

Nipples |02 serve not only to maintain chamber 4| in communication with the atmosphere but also serve as inlets through which lubricants may be introduced to chamber 4|. Since .the entire valve mechanism is within this chamber, it is kept emciently lubricated by this single body of oil, both by splash action and by the oil spray set up through the intermittent jetting of air from orice 98. Should any ofthe oil leak down into chamber 42 during periods of non-use, it is promptly forced back into the upper chamber through exhaust channel E as soon as the vibrator is operated.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood the drawings and description are to be considered as illustrative of and not limitative on the claims appended hereto, for various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of those claims.

I claim:

l. In an automatic vibrating mechanism, a

lvertically arranged cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and dividing the cylinder bore into upper and lower chambers, a piston rod extending through the upper chamber, there being inlet and outlet passages provided in the cylinder, both passages being in constant communication with vthe lower cylinder chamber, valve mechanism for said passages and located in the upper chamber, and means operative by virtue of piston reclprocation to control the operation of said valve mechanism.

2. In an automatic vibrating mechanism, a vertically arranged cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and dividing the cylinder bore into upper and lower chambers, a piston rod, extending through the upper chamber, there being inlet and outlet passages provided in the cylinder, both passages being in constant communication with the lower cylinder chamber, valve mechanism for said passages and located in the upper chamber, and means operative by virtue of piston reciprocation to control the operation of said valve mechanism, said means embodying a rock shaft, a tappet on said shaft and operable by oscillation thereof to actuate the valve mechanism, a snap-actuator for oscillating said shaft, and a link pivotally connected to both the actuator and piston whereby piston reciprocation controls the operation of said actuator.

3. In an automatic vibrating mechanism, a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, there being separate inlet and outlet passages provided in the cylinder and in constant communication with the cylinder bore at one side of the piston, and means operative by virtue of piston reciprocation to control 4fluid ow therethrough, said means embodying a pair of valves, one for each of the passageways, a rock shaft, means on said rock shaft operable upon oscillation thereof to open one valve and allow the other to close, a snap-actuator -for oscillating the shaft, and means operatively connecting the snap-actuator and piston to control the actuation of said actuator.

4. In an automatic vibrating mechanism, a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, there being separate inlet and outlet passages provided in the cylinder and in constant communication with the cylinder bore at one side of the piston. and means operative by virtue of piston reciprocation to control fluid iiow therethrough, said means embodyinga pair of valves, one for each Lof the passageways, said valves being disposed opposite one another, a rock shaft, means on said rock shaft and between the valves, operable upon oscillation thereof to open onevalve and allow 'the other to close, a snap-actuator for oscillating the shaft, and means operatively conn ecting the snap-actuator and piston to control the actuation of said actuator.

5. In an automatic vibrating mechanism, a.

vertically arranged cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and dividing the cylinder bore into upper and lower chambers, a piston rod extending through the upper chamber, the upper chamber cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, there being a passageway in the cylinder for passage of motivating fluid to or from the cylinder bore at dially spaced from the rock axis, a spring tendling to extend said rod and thereby exerting a one side of the piston, a valve for said passageway, a rock shaft operable upon rotation thereof to control valve movement, and means for rocking said` shaft, said last named embodying a lever pivoted on said shaft, a head on said shaft, a telescopic rodA extending from said head and having pivotal engagement at its opposite ends with said head and said lever, a spring tending to extend said rody and thereby exerting a force tending to rotate the head and shaft in one direction or the other depending upon the angular position of the lever, and` means for swinging the lever to vary its. angular position and embodying a link connecting the lever and piston throughout the piston reciprocation. l

.'I. In an automatic vibrating mechanism; a vertically arranged cylinder, va piston within the cylinder and dividing the cylinder bore into'upper and lower chambers; a piston rod extending through the upper chamber, there being inlet and outlet passages provided in the cylinder, the

upper'chamber being constantly vented to thev atmosphere \and both said passages, being in communication with the lower chamber, said outlet passage being. openable to the upper charnber; valve mechanism. for said passages and located in the upper chamber, and means operative by virtue of piston reciprocation to control the operation of said valve mechanism, said means being connected to the piston throughout periods of piston reciprocation.i

8. In an automatic reciprocating mechanism, a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, there being 'a passageway for passagev of motivating fluid to or from'the cylinder bore at one side oi the piston, a valve for said passageway, a rockin g member operable by virtue of its rocking movement to control valve movement, and means for rocking said member. said last named means embodying a lever mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said ,member about the rock-axis of said member as a center, a telescopic rod extending from the distal end of the lever to said rocking member at a point radially spaced from the rock axis. a spring tending to extend said rod and thereby exerting a force tending to rotate the member in one direction or the other depending upon the angular position of the lever, and piston-,actuated means applied to the lever to vary the angularity of the lever by virtue of piston^reciprocation.

9. In an automatic reciprocating mechanism, a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, there being a passageway for passage of motivating fluid to or from thm the cylinder bore at one side of the piston, a valve for said passageway, a rocking member operable by virtue of its rocking movement to control valve movement, and means for rocking said member, said last named means embodying a lever mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said member about the rock-axis of said member as a center, a

ltelescopic rod extending from the distal end of the lever to said rocking member at a point raforce tending to rotate the member in one direction or the other depending upon the angular position of the lever, and means for swinging the lever to vary its angularposition andv embodying a link connecting the lever and piston.

10. In an automatic vibrating mechanisma l vertically arranged cylinder, 4a piston within the cylinder and dividing the cylinder bore into upper and lower chambers, la piston rod extending through the upper chamber, there being inlet and outlet passages provided in the cylinder, both passages being in constant communication with the lower cylinder chamber, valve mechanism for said passages and located in the upper chamber, and means operative by virtue of piston reciprocation to control the operation of said valve mechanism; s aid last mentioned means embodying a rocking member operable by virtue of its rocking movement to actuate the 'valve, and means for rocking, said member, `said last named means embodying a lever mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said member about the rock-axis of said member as a center, atelescopic-rod extending from the distal end of the lever to said rocking member at a point radially spaced from the rock axis, a spring tending to extend said rod and therebyexerting a force tending to rotate the member in one direction or the other depending upon the angular position oi' the lever, and piston-actuated means applied to the lever to vary the 4angularity of the lever by virtue of piston reciprocation.

' FRANK E. WOLD. 

